Afternoon Drive with Xolani Gwala

Interviews for the position of Public Protector when Thuli Madonsela vacates the position in October, began in earnest on Thursday.

A total of 14 candidates were interviewed for the position, a process that started after 7am on Thursday and ended on Friday morning at 3am.

Lawson Naidoo from the Council for the Advancement of the SA Constitution raised questions about the length of the interview process calling it a "grueling and punishing day". Naidoo also questioned how the State Security Agency (SSA) could now disqualify Kevin Malunga from the running. Malunga is Madonsela's deputy and one of the 14 candidates interviewed.

Kevin Malunga was born outside of South Africa in Bulawayo, but is a SA citizen. However he doesn't qualify for top security clearance. Nowhere in the legislation is this requirement stated. The SSA have added a criteria for the position of Public Protector that doesn't exist in the law.

— Lawson Naidoo

As transparent as this (interview) process was, it certainly was not rigorous or robust.

— Lawson Naidoo

Naidoo spoke to Nikiwe Bikitsha (standing in for John Robbie) about how Malunga has stood in for Madonsela on over 30 occasions. Listen to the full interview: